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Monday, December 27, 2010

Went to the doc today for MRI results. It reminded me of American Idol. Sometimes when a contestant would do poorly, Randy would ask,

“So, Dog, how do you think you did?”

Interpretation: I thought you sucked, but I want to see what you thought to make the blow easier.

The first thing the doc asked was, “So, how do youthink you’re doing? How’s the pain?”

I told him I didn't have much pain at the fracture site, but lots of other achiness. That like a good little runner I had avoided any impactful activities for the past 80 days until yesterday when I took a 3.5 mile power walk. The left side of my body hurt. Screamed at me, in fact. “You f*cker,” it said.

Amazing how you can run marathons, then you can barely walk 3 miles. I looked up humbled in the dictionary and there was my picture (ever heard that one before?).

Doc said, “You’re not going to like what the radiologist report says, but just know that nothing has changed. We are still back on track to get you running soon.”

However, in the world of sport's medicine, this is not a death sentence. In fact, what he told me is that in the absence of pain, the mess on the MRI actually means I’m healing. If, in fact, I had pain, it would mean I was worse. But, without pain at the fracture site, it’s a good sign.

Go figure. Where do I go from here?

On January 10 I can start running. For 8 minutes every other day. From there I will work up to 15 minutes of running. At that point I can increase time/mileage by 15% per week. That’s when my real marathon training will begin. I’ve also got physical therapy and a gait analysis coming up.

That means I will have an 8 week training cycle for Boston. Including my taper. Laugh if you want. It’s what I’ve got.

For sure there will be no speed work involved. No 20 mile training runs. In fact, Boston will be my long(est) training run. I’m cautiously optimistic.

Certainly, this could all go to shit if the fracture starts hurting again. But, with any luck, I’ll be in Hopinkton on April 18 ready to run pain free. It might take five hours for me to get the the finish line, but I’ll be running Boston. Because I worked my ass off to get there and I deserve to be there.

I am going to beat this bitch. With a metal bat. In a dark alley. With no witnesses.

When you are injured, there is advice flowing to you from every angle. Books, fellow runners, magazines, non-runners. I am choosing to listen to myself and my doc. I know I am in good hands. He is one of the professionals who consults with Runners World on their Challenge Forum (for injured runners). Dude knows his stuff. He will take care of me.

Setbacks? For sure there are some to come. Uncertainty? I am consumed by it. The clock is ticking. Boston is only 111 days away. I have 111 days to go from walking three miles to running 26.2.

If you know me, which I think you do, you know I never give up. I am nothing if not stubbornly determined. I give everything 100%. If there is any possible way I can do this, I will do it. Yes, my body might say no, but I can’t entertain that thought. It’s simply not a possibility.

Be Fearless

If you make only one resolution this year, let it be to live boldly. You control this moment: Rather than cautiously test the water, dive straight into life with freeing abandon. Imagine the person you want to be and the life you want to live, then simply commit to them. Believe in yourself. Embrace your beauty. Discover a new passion. And whatever you do, wherever you go, don’t be afraid to make a splash (from Self January 2011).

74 comments:

There's no laughing here. You are healing which is great news! I know you won't give up and I know you will do everything you can to help your body heal completely. I have no doubt you will come through this a stronger person and runner.

Eff, sorry Beth, I was hoping it would be better news for you. On the up side, maybe start doing some 2 hour pool runs (I know...), but I did 2X 3 hour pool runs and hadn't run more than 11 miles for 3 months prior to the last time I ran Boston, it wasn't a super fast time, but I finished and I didn't get injured. It'll really help your endurance be in the game when you are ready to start belting out the runs on land. Also, maybe you could use pool running as your recovery days when you get back on land.

BUT, I know I am a freak who loves pool running!! I hope it all works out, whatever you decide to do!!

Thinking of you as you prepare for Boston! You can do it, and I can't wait to read about it when you do! Sounds like you are taking care of yourself and going after your dream, which is awesome. You are an inspiration to me in training for my first full marathon in May!!!

I am going to beat this bitch. With a metal bat. In a dark alley. With no witnesses.

There is no substitute for hardwork and with hardwork comes great results. Your results will show up in Boston whether its 3 hours or 5 hours you will be there and be proud to be there because you HAVE earned.

All that being said there will be witnesses. At least one and that one is me. I will be with you every step of the way. I will not offer advice but encouragement. I will not be a know it all but a motivator. I will not be the person who has all the answer but instead an inspiration to you.

You can and will do this. I am excited about your journey and thrilled by your take no prisoners attitude.

Good for you! You'll beat this effin' injury. Stupid injuries. I like the "back to running" training plan... sounds pretty much just like the one my PT put me on and it's working out! So you'll be golden by April 18th. I dig your mentality, you inspire me. Keep being a BAMF.

This is one of those times you hoped for better but are ok with nothing worse. Keep at it girl, keep at it and keep healing! Boston is your victory lap for all your hard work, shouldn't you enjoy every moment of it, even if it takes you 5+ hours at least you got your moneys worth!!! :) (Just trying to find the positives!!!)

Hey, I think you should listen to ME. All those other people are full of hooey, and I say that you should definitely go with Bachelor # 3 and copious amounts of alcohol! Oh, wait... what was the question again???

Very glad you're ready to run again - take it easy on yourself, though. And don't dismiss the alcohol part of my first suggestion... is there a question that can't be answered appropriately by, "copious amounts of alcohol?" I think not!

reading your journey daily has always made it seem so amusing...though I know at times it surely is not. I think you at least have the right attitude to survive the lack of endorphins we runners are so addicted to.

I'm going to choose to say, yay! Good news for you that you can begin running soon. You're healing, yay! Ditch any advice that you dont like, it's your body and your life.

I think you can totally be ready for Boston, even with limited training. I do great big long races all the time, and my training sucks! Hopefully, you will be able to do it in less than the, oh, five and a half hours it takes me, but You Can Do It!!

Yup, MRIs suck at showing fractures and healing. In fact, stress fractures don't even show up on an MRI at first...and my MRI showed stress fracture 1 year after I had it, when I was 100% pain free. So all is good! And hurray for the HIM!!!!

Yay! I'm so excited you get to run soon. May the remaining waiting time fly by. If you haven't checked out yet, get and read The Long Run. It's an amazing come back story that will make you cry and help believe you can do it!!

SOOO glad to hear you are getting better and will be running soon. I know how hard it is not to be able to run and it has been way too long for you. I am excited to hear about your half ironman training, I am doing my first in June =)

Although I don't "know" you, I was on the edge of my seat when I read the title "results are in". I think we all have become wrapped up in your injury like you're our best friend. We all want to see you succeed and beat this stress fracture (with a bat). I can't wait to see where you go from here.

Here's to hoping there will be NO pain at the fracture site! positive vibes...

you are healing and I have no doubt that you will give those 8 weeks of training all you've got! Being injured totally sucks (I'm dealing with a stress fracture too) but you've approached this entire episode with positivity and humor and resiliency. So glad to hear you have a start date in sight!

This may not be the news you were hoping for but it is good news, nonetheless. Slowly building strength is key; keep up with cardio (2 bike or bike/swim combo) with gently increasing mileage will get you there. You will do it. I trained for Toronto in 8 weeks after a 3 month layoff; ran a 3:23. You'll be awesome.

Soon very soon! Wished it would have been now - but that isn't the way it is. You will make the best of a short training schedule for Boston. Oh my gosh - you are going to be running in Boston in 2011 - how cool is that!

Greetings. I have been on an extended time off from running as well and started with some run walks. it works. Drop me a note if you want me to send you the protocol. Basically its a weekly step up, but you know it has worked for me and not once did i have to step "back" but it sure took some patience. Glad to hear you are gonna get a nice boost.. running! in 2011.

I can honestly say that this post made me tear up a bit. I can feel your determination and passion. What an example you set for your kids and for all to never give up! So glad you are healing and that you will be running soon...one mile at a time. And you're right, you worked hard to get here! Go Beth! Way to live with intention and focus! And gee, look at all of these people cheering you on every step of the way. YOu remind me a lot of my dad, or the stories I hear from my mom about him. A passionate and determined runner and person in general. When he broke both of his legs (smashed them) and told he would never walk again, let alone run, he didn't give up. Within two years he had taught himself to walk and then run again before he died in 1982....but how joyful he must have been to be running again...doing what he was most passionate about and showing everyone that doubted him that he would beat it! Can't wait to see you run Boston and do your Ironman!

8 weeks training for Boston? Whatever! You can do it (I barely trained at all for it this year), who cares how fast you do it, Boston is the icing on the proverbial cake. It's your reward and you just go and experience it, enjoy it and don't stress about it! All is going to be great!

oh boy. not the results i was hoping to read about but i guess it's a good sign that there is no pain! You'll have enough time to get ready for Boston, no worries. wow, congrats on signin up for a half ironman! i did one a few years ago and LOVED IT!! i want to do another one so bad but none of the local ones fit my schedule. awesome! good luck, Beth!

Thanks for the inspiration Beth. I was particularly relating to the part about not caring if it took you 3 or 5 hrs. to complete Boston. I'm about to run my first 10K race and have been worrying about not being good enough with my time. Reading your post made me realize that it's not just about speed. I have to remember that for me, it's freaking amazing that I'm doing this at all! I know I will complete it the best way I can. Thanks! Tearing up now... I'm too hard on myself, instead of being thrilled with what I've accomplished so far, I've been focusing on what I haven't been able to do, thanks for giving me some perspective...you are amazing! You'll do this thing!!

Determined and Stubborn - how else is one supposed to finish marathons and BQ? ;) I think you give everything 110% and that's why you're still on track to Run, AND you still plan on tackling Boston - trained however you get to train. Go get those 8 minutes!

You can do Boston. I've finished a marathon when I snapped a bone in my foot at 14 miles of the race. I've run a 50K with a broken ankle. I've started a 100-miler with my hand in a cast (didn't finish that, but it wan't just the hand that was a problem). I've done marathons without training at all in the two months before the race.

I'm an idiot, yeah, but in my book, you've got this already done in your head; you just have to get to the start line.

I don't know you, but I can honestly say you're a huge inspiration. Your 'cautious optimism' and your determination never to give up is amazing. The fact that you don't blog about your injury is another testament to your strength and how great your blog is even when you're not actively training for something. Your terrific attitude is what is going to carry you across that finish line at Boston, and I'm just one of many people out there cheering you all the way there! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I aspire to cultivate some of your indominitable spirit in myself as I work through my own injury.